Available online
Description
In this programme 'The Festival of the Supreme Being' is described and parts are re-enacted.
In this programme 'The Festival of the Supreme Being' is described and parts are re-enacted.
| Module code and title: | A202, The age of revolutions |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A202; 14 |
| First transmission date: | 11-06-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:38 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Mary Hoskins |
| Contributor: | Aaron Scharf |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Festivals |
| Footage description: | Aaron Scharf briefly describes the cult of the Supreme being. Aaron Scharf describes preceding festival in Revolutionary France, i.e. Festival of Federation, with contemporary prints asillustrations. He continues with the description of some of David's drawings for the Festival of the Supreme being. Contemporary engravings of the Festival of Liberty and the Festival of Unity and indivisibility are also shown. Aaron Scharf outlines the reasons behind the staging of the earlier festivals and also Robespierre's reasons for wishing to promote, the cult of the Supreme Being. Aaron Scharf begins his description of the Festival of the Supreme Being. Quotation from David's programme for the Festival, sound over film of Paris, and over contemporary engravings. Aaron Scharf continues his description of the Festival. A quotation from Chantrean, a French eye witness, is read over contemporary engravings. Quotation from Robespierre's speech at the beginning of the Festival. The scene is recreated in the studio, Ken Wynne portraying Robespierre. Aaron Scharf continues his description of the Festival, the burning of the effigies of the enemies of the people, and the rise of Wisdom from the ashes. Contemporary engravings of the event and a reenactment of the burning illustrate the sequence. David's description of the spectacle is read. Quotation from Robespierre's second oration, re enacted in studio. Contemporary engravings also serve as illustrations. Aaron Scharf digresses on Robespierre's probable political reasoning behind the Festival of the Supreme Being. He then continues his description of the Festival, the procession to the Champ de Mans. Animated drawings based on contemporary illustrations are used to supplement David's written description. A quotation from Chantrean is also used. Robespierre's conduct is also described. The last stage of the Festival is described. As before contemporary engravings, animated drawings and quotations from David's own description of the programmes are used to illustrate the festival. Aaron Scharf sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/70693 |
| Production number: | 00521_2328 |
| Videofinder number: | 2524 |
| Available to public: | no |
